The Department of Fire Services maintains the state fire code, investigates explosions and fires of unknown or suspicious origin, and regulates the storage and transportation of flammable liquids, explosives, or fireworks. Additional responsibilities include monitoring the installation and replacement of flammable liquid storage tanks in order to mitigate the risk of explosion or leakage. The Department also trains local firefighters throughout the Commonwealth in the proper techniques for fire suppression and prevention.

Budget Recommendations

The Fiscal Year 1998 recommendation transfers $940,178 from the accounts that fund the Fire Marshal, Underground Storage Tank Program, and the Fire Academy to a new account 8324-1000. This funding transfer will create an administrative account to allow the Department of Fire Services to operate more efficiently.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
8324-0000	For the administration of the department of fire services; provided, that the amount of three hundred two thousand one hundred twenty dollars shall be assessed by the commissioner of insurance against insurance companies licensed to sell fire insurance in the commonwealth and transferred to the General Fund, and such assessments shall be charged to the normal operating costs of each company; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, total expenditures from this item for the administration of the Massachusetts firefighting academy shall not exceed three hundred seventy thousand eight hundred eighty dollars; and provided further, that said expenditures for said academy shall be paid to the commonwealth by insurance companies writing fire, homeowners multiple peril, or commercial multiple peril policies on property situated in the commonwealth within thirty days after notice from the commissioner of estimated expenses	940,178
	General Fund 71.58% Underground Storage Tank Fund 28.42%

STATE FIRE MARSHAL
8324-1000	For the fire prevention program; provided, that the amount of six hundred thirty seven thousand seven hundred seventeen dollars shall be assessed by the commissioner of insurance against insurance companies licensed to sell fire insurance in the commonwealth and transferred to the General Fund, and such assessments shall be charged to the normal operating costs of each company	943,686

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK COMPLIANCE PROGRAM
8324-1100	For the underground storage tank program and the administrative expenses associated with the implementation of chapter twenty-one J of the General Laws	394,363
	Underground Storage Tank Fund 100%

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK SPILL CLEAN-UP REIMBURSEMENTS
8324-1200	For reimbursements to parties that have cleaned up spills of petroleum products pursuant to chapter twenty-one J of the General Laws	9,000,000
	Underground Storage Tank Fund 100%

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BOARD
8324-1300	For the underground storage tank administrative review board pursuant to chapter twenty-one J of the General Laws	711,332
	Underground Storage Tank Fund 100%

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK MUNICIPAL GRANT PROGRAM
8324-1400	For grants to municipalities for the removal and replacement of underground storage tanks pursuant to section two of chapter twenty-one J of the General Laws and section thirty-seven A of chapter one hundred forty-eight of the General Laws	2,000,000
	Underground Storage Tank Fund 100%

MASSACHUSETTS FIREFIGHTING ACADEMY
8324-1500	For the fire training program, including the Massachusetts fire training council, the certification program, municipal and non-municipal fire training, and the expenses of said council; provided, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, total expenditures from this item for the administration of the Massachusetts firefighting academy, including expenditures for training facilities, curriculum for firefighting personnel, and training programs, shall not exceed two million four hundred eighty-one thousand eight hundred forty dollars; provided further, that the funds necessary to support this item shall be paid to the commonwealth by insurance companies writing fire, homeowners multiple peril, or commercial multiple peril policies on property situated in the commonwealth within thirty days after notice from the commissioner of insurance of estimated expenses	2,481,840

Federal Grant Spending

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK REGISTRY PROGAM
8324-9707	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Underground Storage Tank Registry Progam	200,000

Trust and Other Spending

8324-0160

MASSACHUSETTS FIRE TRUST FUND

769,900